Konkola Copper Mines Seeks Expansion Projects Outside Zambia-CEO

April 26 (DOW JONES) - Zambia's largest copper Miner, Konkola Copper Mines, is seeking expansion projects in other African countries following the completion of the Konkola deep mine project in Zambia, a company executive has said.

The successful implementation of various expansion projects at KCM had encouraged London-listed Vedanta Resources PLC (VED.LN), owners of the mine, to consider expanding operations in Africa, Kishore Kumar, the KCM chief executive officer, told Zambia's national television Sunday.

Currently, KCM is Vedanta's only project in Africa.

A company spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires Monday that KCM would soon make an announcement on the countries and the nature of mining projects in which it is interested.

Since taking over KCM in 2004, Vedanta has invested up to $2 billion in various expansion projects, which include the 300,000 metric tons-a-year Nchanga Smelter, the Nkana Refinery as well as the Konkola deep mine project, which is expected to enable the company access rich unexploited underground ore bodies and extend the lifespan of the mine beyond 2030.

According to Kumar, the deep mine project will enable KCM produce 500,000 tons of finished copper a year by 2012 and help Zambia attain its copper production target of 1 million tons.

However, he added that the government must reduce the costs of doing business in the country by improving its infrastructure. Inadequate infrastructure has been singled out by mining companies as a major constraint in the country's mining sector.

Zambia is Africa's largest copper producer.